Chapter 68 - A Big Dog

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The jet's door opened to reveal a group of individuals waiting to receive the newcomer. Contrary to what Lucian expected, it seemed the procedures within the Guardian Corps were more cordial than he gave them credit for.

"Welcome, new Guardians, to the Isle of Power," the lead individual said. It was a male who appeared to be around Jacob's age. He wore training gear similar to one Cyrus wore, except the elastic material seemed more resilient.

While Lucian and the others departed from the jet, the person continued to walk them through the process.

"Now that you're here, we'll conduct a thorough evaluation to understand the proper division to place you under. You'll meet a variety of instructors such as myself along the way. For ease of mind, you can just call me Instructor Kilian."

The black-haired male with golden eyes then gestured for them to follow along.

However, Lucian was curious. 'Why do we need an evaluation? If they know we're Guardians, then that means they should know who we are, no?'

Of course, Lucian didn't understand that the list they received didn't provide any useful details as far as their Fractal Rating or the like went.

As mentioned before, only two things were known―their names and that they were from the Delta Echelon.

One thing the new Guardian's appreciated was the fact that the testing facility was nearby, on a straight path from the hangar. Once they arrived inside that place, Instructor Kilian branched off from leading them before tapping a man in a white lab coat.

"Professor, start up the machine please," Instructor Kilian requested before turning back towards the group of Guardians. The man gave a small nod as his fingers moved with rapid precision. A series of beeps were heard, followed by a fierce rumble.

The center of the testing facility's floor split apart to reveal an enormous apparatus ascending through the ground. It was an enormous machine with several large probes protruding from the outer edge. Each probe contained a thick wisp of Fractal Force.

There was an empty sphere at the center of the apparatus.

"Stand inside the sphere and the Fractal Quantifier will give us the needed information," Instructor Kilian said.

Compared to the testing apparatus inside the Awakened Association, this one was many times more thorough. After all, its blueprint and material to craft it was acquired by Skybreaker after becoming the first True Alpha.

In simple terms, the apparatus before Lucian was a mechanized version of the Fractal Pillar. While it couldn't determine the finer qualities such as the number of Accumulated Destinies. It could read Fractal Rating potential, Attributes, and Mana Quotient by scanning one's Guardian Insignia.

After all, that insignia was something that couldn't be faked.

One by one, everyone went up and stood in the middle of the sphere. A vibrant aura emanated from their bodies before disappearing. And, based on how strong the reading was, the Guardians were sent to the First, Second, Third, or Special Division.

All factors were considered when they received their potential placement. It was only an offer until they confirmed their allegiance with a manager, since instructors were only limited to training Guardians.

Finally, it was Lucian's turn. 

He entered the sphere and a sensation familiar to what he experienced while inside the Fractal Pillar engulfed his body. However, he could hear an annoyed grunt in his mind. Evidently, the stone detested this presence, but other than this noise, it didn't interfere.

It didn't need to.

ERROR!!

An alarm blared throughout the testing center, causing the professor to press on his glasses while looking at Lucian, 'That's unique. There are only three reasons for the alarm to sound when testing."

The first reason was that the person being tested was too strong for the apparatus and their mana quotient could virtually overload the machine. Thus, shitting down to protect itself. Only Extraordinary and above Guardians were capable of this.

The second reason was the exact opposite. The reading was too weak to even grasp, causing the system to produce an error. Among the three, this was the rarest since the machine was a copy of the Fractal Pillar.

However, the third reason was even more of a mystery because it meant the apparatus couldn't even sense the person inside the sphere. When it came to Lucian's situation, it was the third one. 

"How odd. We'll have to opt for manual evaluation then," the professor said before looking towards Instructor Kilian. "Will you do the honors?"

"Sure I will…" Kilian was about to agree, however, a powerful voice kept him in his tracks.

"No, I will. They have triggered the alarm, so I will handle what's to come after," a deep voice said. It was a man whose figure was nearly 7 feet tall. While he wasn't overly muscular, his body gave off an air of savagery.

However, that wasn't what attracted one's attention.

It was the gruesome scar spanning from above his right eye to below his right cheek. Coupled with his white hair and azure eyes, it formed a striking scene. 

Meanwhile, Lucian thought this person felt oddly familiar despite being a stranger, 'Why… does he feel so familiar? Could it be some type of relation?'

"Head Director Oryon!?" Kilian sputtered with widened eyes. And there was a good reason for it. This man was a big dog in the corps; a True Alpha just like Skybreaker. Only, he didn't command the same prominent position in the Corps to retain his individuality.

"Stand down, Kilian. I'll test out the newbie," Oryon said before turning towards Lucian, "What is your current Strength and Agility standard?"

"E," Lucian responded in a calm tone. He wasn't the same person as before. So revealing this type of underwhelming strength didn't bother him.

Still, it did cause Oryon to narrow his eyes. 'Why so low? Could he not have cleared the 2nd floor?'

Though he was curious, Oryon shrugged it off for the moment, "Very well. We'll use a unique evaluation to determine what standard you'll fall under. Are you ready?"

"No, but which one of us could possibly be ready for someone that gives off your aura?" Lucian replied with a faint smile before jumping out of the sphere.

"Heh, I like you, kid. Professor, close the apparatus," Oryon ordered. 

"Understood!" the man in the lab coat replied.

Within seconds, the apparatus sank back into the floor as the training center returned to normal. All except the fact that Oryon looked at Lucian with a bizarre smile.

"I feel like I should be remembering something here, but I'll worry about that later. Depending on how long you last, I'll be the one to consider putting you in a division befitting of your ability," Oryon said.

"Ready?" Oryon asked while raising 3 fingers.

Then two.

Then one.

Tap!

Lucian's eyes focused indefinitely as Oryon appeared before him in an instant. 'What type of speed is this?!' Not only was Oryon's movement soundless, but it was just too fast!

However, Oryon was just as shocked as Lucian, 'The kid didn't freeze up? No, his eyes even followed the exact path of my movement. How bizarre. Though, just as he stated, his bodily reactions are lagging.'

"Don't worry. As I'm too strong for you, there won't be any physical contact. I am just trying to get a grasp of what you are. An Assaulter, Defender, Scout? And how well you fit into the chosen category," Oryon revealed.

"Ah," Lucian said with a nod, before thinking about it, "A scout I guess."

"Oh? Is that so? Shall we continue a little test again then?"

"Sure," Lucian nodded.

Suddenly, Oryon returned to his earlier position with a single step.

"That was merely A Rank Agility, I'll be upping the ante. Ready?"

"Ready!" Lucian said with a concentrated expression as his eyes emitted a crimson hue. Involuntarily, the remains of his Mana Quotient flowed to his mind, activating his Hypervigilance at a heightened degree.

Tap!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Unlike last time, Oryon didn't move soundlessly and his movement speed now couldn't be compared to what it was before. However, what was even more appalling was that his simple movements created what seemed to be absurd claw marks in the ground.

Still, despite how fast he was moving, Lucian's eyes followed him without fail.

'Sensory abilities capable of keeping up with S- Rank Agility despite his fresh designation as a guardian? Could this boy have a Heroic Order ability?' Oryon thought before rubbing his chin with deep interest.

"DAMMIT! Byakko, you brute!" An incensed voice sounded from a slender woman dressed in attire typically worn by female assassins. However, it was draped over by a baby blue robe.

Her soft lilac hair swayed because of sharp frigid winds circulating her figure as her pale blue eyes glowered at Oryon.

'Byakko? Byakko… I've heard this before.'

Lucian then focused on the claw marks and soon understood the crux of the situation. The man administering the test was Oryon Rakesh, otherwise known as Cezar's father!

"I'll pay for the damage. Don't badger me, Frost Witch," Oryon said while shaking his head with a displeased grunt.

This time, Lucian looked at Alana. After all, her aunt's title just so happened to be Frost Witch.